On the Horizon
VUHS September 29th, 2023
Principal Message
All teachers should have updated grades by this Friday. If you have questions about a specific class please reach out to the classroom teacher first. If you still need support you can reach out to the Morning Meeting teacher or the school counselor.
Homecoming was wonderful. There were so many students at the float-making, the parade, the bonfire, and the dance! If any students came home with an extra bucket hat or glasses please send them back to the school as they were donated for the photobooth. If anyone has any pictures from Homecoming and would like to share them with the Yearbook please reach out.
On Wednesday, October 4th we have an Early Release Day. Our PHCC students will have their AM A day classes. Here in the building, we have all four classes on a shortened schedule. Students in PHCC classes who miss their VUHS classes on Wednesday will be excused.
Please read the special announcement in the Nurse Information section of this week's newsletter.
Some events that are coming up in the next few weeks are:
- Early Release Day - 10/4/23
- Indigenous People Day/No School - 10/9/23
- FAMILY Safety Meeting (virtual) 10/11 6:30-7:30
- Picture Day - 10/13/23
- Senior Walk-A-Thon - 10/18/23
- Family Teacher Conferences - 11/1-11/2 (more information coming soon)
Have a great weekend Commodores!
Jody Chamberlin JChamberlin@anwsd.org
Message from the Superintendent
Considering the traffic and safety concerns associated with the April 8, 2024 solar eclipse in Vermont, the Champlain Valley Superintendents Association in consultation with local authorities and representatives from NASA, are moving forward with the early dismissal for students on this date. This proactive measure would prioritize the safety of our students, ensuring that they are not caught in the potential traffic congestion and safety hazards that could arise due to the eclipse's significant public interest.
The path of the eclipse moves directly across the Champlain Valley including areas north and south of Burlington. Although it is hard to imagine, it is anticipated that more than 250,000 people will travel to this area alone to view the eclipse. This does not account for those of us already living here. It is anticipated that eclipse goers will begin to line up along major traffic corridors and side roads beginning mid-day. The eclipse is scheduled to end in totality at 3:30 and partially at 4:30 creating traffic congestion that could potentially last until 6:30 p.m.
For these reasons, students will be dismissed on a regular Early-Release schedule on April 8th to provide ample time for them to arrive home safely. There will be no after-school or evening events. We will be providing Eclipse viewing kits for each student to take home. These will include safe viewing glasses and other information.
Sheila Soule
School Counseling News
School Counseling Office Upcoming Events:
Monday, 10/2 - Merrimack College rep in the cafeteria block 4 (1st lunch)
Tuesday, 10/3 - VT Air National Guard recruiter, TSgt Jesse Tynan (VUHS alum) in the cafeteria block 4&5 (1st & 2nd lunch)
Thursday, 10/5 - University of Maine - Farmington rep in the cafeteria block 4&5 (both lunches)
Friday, 10/6, 3pm - Deadline to sign up for PSAT
Monday, 10/16, 6:30 pm, Senior Parent Night via Google Meets
Digital PSAT 2023 Information - students in grades 11 & 10: The Digital PSAT will be offered at VUHS on Wednesday, October 18, 2023. This is the first year of digital testing. The PSAT is administered using chromebooks and is no longer a paper test. Important: Deadline to register for the PSAT is 3pm, Friday, October 6, 2023. Due to the test being digital this year, we cannot accept any late registrations.
All the pertinent information including, but not limited to, the cost and how to sign up can be found in the documents linked below. Additional hard copies are also available in the School Counseling Office. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to the High School Counseling Team - April Wortmann, Rebecca Edelman, Susan Oliveira or Anne Vincent.
PSAT Information and Permission Form 2023
Senior Parent Information Night: On Monday, October 16th, the high school counselors will be hosting a senior parent meeting to discuss the college application process and how they can help support your student during their grade 12 year. The meeting will be held virtually on Google Meets at 6:30 pm - here is the link to join: Meeting ID meet.google.com/wim-pvyb-oha
Voice of Democracy - Patriotic Audio Essay Competition: This contest is open to students in grades 9-12 and is sponsored by the Addison County VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) Post 7820 located at 530 Exchange Street, Middlebury, VT. Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the Post, District, state and national levels. More information and how to apply can be found here. A paper copy is also available in the School Counseling Office. Any questions can be directed to 802-388-9468 or 802-877-3608. Application deadline is October 31, 2023. Jody, if possible, please add to Anchors Away for week of 10/2 so teachers can share in morning meeting
Vermont State University (VSU) Fall Open Houses: Vermont State University now includes campuses in Castleton, Lyndon, Johnson, Randolph and Williston. What was previously known as Northern Vermont University, Castleton University and/or Vermont Tech are now known as Vermont State University. Additional information can be found here
Open house schedules for specific campuses are listed below:
October 9, Castleton campus
October 21, Lyndon campus
October 28, Randolph campus
November 3, Castleton campus
November 4, Johnson campus
November 11, Williston campus
Scholarships: The School Counseling Office has started to receive information about scholarships that are available for application at this time. These scholarships are posted on the bulletin board by the cafeteria and are included in the document below. A link to a QR code to scan is also included below and the QR code is posted around the school as well. It's recommended that students check the document or scan the QR code every couple of weeks for the most up to date information about the availability of free money opportunities. Students can always check in with the School Counseling Office as well.
Scholarships currently available for application
Scan QR Code to access list of scholarshipsBoosters, CPTG, Friends of Music
CPTG - Commodore Parent Teacher Group Sign up. Let's work together to ensure that our children have access to a stimulating and nurturing educational environment. Your partnership with VUHS Commodore Parent Teacher Group will help shape the minds of future leaders, innovators, and lifelong learners.
Friends of Music - Consider joining the Commodore Friends of Music for our children, our music educators and our community. Meetings are held the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 6:30pm via the Zoom link. For more information please visit our website https://sites.google.com/view/commodore-friends-of-music/home
School Wide Information
Food Services
Nurse Announcements
As cold and flu season arrives, please remember that students must be fever, vomit & diarrhea free for 24 hours without the aid of medication before they return to school after an illness. COVID-19 is still among us, so please continue to test if you have symptoms. We do have a limited supply of tests. If your student is symptomatic and you would like a test, please contact your school nurse. Our nurses will use their clinical judgment and discretion to determine if a student is well enough to remain in school or be sent home. If a student or staff member is not well enough to learn or participate, regardless of whether they are tested for COVID-19, they will be sent home from school. If your student does test positive, contact your school nurse for return to school information. Please refer to the Student and Family Handbook for more details.
TIPS FOR KEEPING HEALTHY
-Keep up to date on all vaccinations
-Washing hands frequently with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds
-Cover your mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing-preferably into the inside of the elbow or with a tissue followed by hand washing
-Avoiding sharing drinks, water bottles, utensils and phones
-Avoiding touching eyes, nose, and mouth
-Stay home when you are sick
-Get the recommended 8-10 hours of sleep a night
Please contact me if you have any questions or would like to discuss your child's illness. Jaime Wells at jwells@anwsd.org or 471-2298
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We have put together a new Community Health and Wellness site that can be accessed from the ANWSD website. The site is updated as new info becomes available.
Fusion
Session 1 has started but you can still join!
Make sure you sign up! Some of the opportunities this session are:
- Commodores Got Talent
- Magic: The Gathering
- Math Labs
- Whiz Kids
- Chess
- Choice Activities in On Deck
- VT History Day
Sign up with this link: https://forms.gle/fWSVcNCoYBrL5A7eA
Patricia A. Hannaford Career Center News (interested and current students)
We are looking forward to the 2023-2024 school year at PHCC. This space will hold the Newsletters and information as it comes.
Important Documents
Community Events and Student Opportunities
Contact Information
Vergennes Union High School
Email: JChamberlin@anwsd.org
Website: https://vumhs.org/
Location: 50 Monkton Road, Vergennes, VT, USA
Phone: (802) 877-2938